Helipad controversy for Pakistan’s new PM
Pakistan Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf. – Photo by APP
ISLAMABAD: The private home of Pakistan’s new prime minister may be furnished with a helipad at government expense to save police securing the 14-mile road trip from the capital, officials said Tuesday.
Police told AFP that helipads are customary additions to private residences as part of “VVIP” security arrangements.
But critics lashed out at the arrangements as “disappointing” after Raja Pervez Ashraf said his first priority would be to resolve crippling power cuts that leave millions without electricity for up to 18 hours a day.
Ashraf, who took office on Friday, has moved into the premier’s official residence but like previous incumbents is expected to spend weekends at his private home in Gujar Khan, 23 kilometres south of the capital.
“Senior officials visited the site on Monday to review security arrangements. A site has already been selected for the helipad and its construction will commence very soon,” one police official told AFP.
He declined to speculate on the expense, but said the helipad would save police from “the hassle” of finding personnel to man a staggering 300 security points that would otherwise be needed between Islamabad and Gujar Khan.
Ashraf’s boss, President Asif Ali Zardari, is famously so nervous about security that he travels by helicopter even on the short distance to the airport.
But other officials said a helipad was just one of a number of proposals being considered for the premier’s security and that there was no final decision.
Critics said it would send the wrong message when millions live in poverty, financial crisis could force Pakistan back to the IMF and relations with Washington are on the brink.
“He is enjoying all the perks of his position while ignoring the country’s economic problems,” said a spokesman for the main opposition PML-N party, Siddiq-ul Farooq.
“It’s a waste of money. It’s not surprising that a helipad is being made – that is how Pakistani prime ministers behave,” said political commentator Hasan Askari.
Opinions of Pakistan’s rulers “will not change until they perform,” he added.
Ashraf is a controversial choice for prime minister.
The Supreme Court last week dismissed his predecessor, Yousuf Raza Gilani, for contempt for refusing to reopen corruption cases against the president.
Ashraf only took office after a judge issued an arrest warrant for the first suggested replacement.
He faces corruption allegations from his tenure as water and power minister.
No helipad and no road security. The PM can go to Gujar Khan without media and PM Staff theatrics, quietly and in the silent of the night. The PM should have the guts (and the brain) to travel to his own constituency without outburst of security and traffic blocks. If he cant do that, he can wait for his next visit to Gujar Khan. He would be out of the PM House soon, any way.
come onnnn,,,,its just a helipad, i think he should build himself a runway there. rather two of them one for the kids as well. have the helipad there for the kitchen staff maybe…..
This newly minted PM's name is already on the Exit Control List (ECL) so it is only a matter of time before corruption charges are brough against him and he is arrested and put in jail. Prior to that he may be held in contempt & dismissed by the SC for refusing to write to the Swiss Authorities to re-open the ZardarMoney Laundering case.
So why bother with building a helipad for him. Choppers are supposed to be able to land anywhere.
The helipad example will encourage others to built for their owns one. What a nice development projects the govt. officials and the VIP's are adopting for the poor peoples of Pakistan. Dedicate yourself for the betterment of the common people you do not need any sky transport. Try to get lesson from the medieval and modern prominent leaders and will see the difference between you and others!
Government should not waste tax payers money and the money sent by overseas Pakistani's. Plus he does not appear to be a sophisticated person, can I request Dawn to publish his profile including his achievement if any.
what a nonsense whole the country is facing a economic crisis and they are building helipad for a P M who will be in office for in my opinion a month only
Even in a country as affluent as USA, President Obama does not has a helipad put in his private house at taxpayers expense. This is a shmeless abuse of power and government's resources.
Thanks God;they are thinking of building a helipad and not an airport.So what's fuss about it?
It wd roughly cost 395,000 dollars to buy for him a flyin car from pm house to gujjar khan. Calculate cost and order flying car for him.
The PM, elected to serve the "public", needs a helidpad and hundreds of security personnel (if travelling by road) to stay away and hide from the "public":….democracy wins:)
i am very disappointed due to government expenditures people money is using for personal use and no one is thinking situations of people or nations and all are doing just corruption and are increasing your accounts Balance
MR.ABUBAKAR
This country has become a laughing stock. If you read newspapers, seems like one is looking at Sunday comics in Western countries.
in this dire situation the country is going through this sort of luxury is unwarranted. i may take this opportunity and quote
something which is worth reading. overly developed country " sweden" and its well known and dedicated prime minister
(late) olof palme decided to go to movie with his wife and after movie was over he was waiting on the curb for a taxi to go back home and whilst waiting some lunatic shot him. no security, no helicopter, no official car, this is an example.
canadian p.m on his private visits drive his own personal car.
prime minister………..going to cinema to watch movie………….then waiting for the taxi to return home………………..
can one imagine the height of humality.
whats the big deal in getting him a helipad? The PML-N has done nothing special in all these "opposing" years, so we cant take his arguments.
Also I agree with employing 300 additional staff for Gujar Khan is useless, a helipad will cost a little but will save the 300 additional employees and their wasted salaries.
Besides people and the media should by now accept that there is nothing we can say or do that is going to stop the government in doing what they do, so stop trying.
Oh my God, that many comments on just a halipad? Dont you people have anything constructive to do?